PONTIAC -- In the heart of Times Square, a billboard trumpeted tonight’s
Devon Alexander-Timothy Bradley showdown. Among the hardcore insiders
who understand boxing best, many say it is the best possible fight not
involving Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather, and perhaps even the
sport’s best possible matchup unless those two fight each other.

Whether or not the statewide economy and the Silverdome’s diminished aura allow Michigan to set the proper stage for a 140-pound title unification with massive future implications between two undefeated title-holders, Alexander-Bradley will occur with only one thing at stake for both men.

Everything.

People here compare it to the first Sugar Ray Leonard-Thomas Hearns fight, in 1981, when Leonard was 25 and Hearns 22, and there were criticisms that their classic matchup happened too quickly.

After Leonard won by 14th-round technical knockout, and the stars of both men soared, those criticisms ceased.

"This fight will basically start the stardom,” Bradley said. “The loser of this fight still will be a star, but not a superstar. Boxing is
starting to die down a little bit and they’re looking for some new faces
in boxing. You’ve got Floyd Mayweather, you’ve got Manny Pacquiao, but
how long are these guys going to still be in the game?

"They’re looking for new faces in boxing, and Devon Alexander and myself are those faces.”

The fight, for 23-year-old Alexander’s World Boxing Council and
27-year-old Bradley’s World Boxing Organization junior welterweight
titles, is one of the most uncommon matchups of all, two undefeated
American champions unifying their titles.

Sanctioning shenanigans have prohibited such matchups in the past. The
2001 fight between Mayweather and Diego Corrales, for example, would
have pitted two undefeated U.S. champions, if not for Corrales
relinquishing his International Boxing Federation 130-pound title,
rather than face a mandatory lesser opponent, in order to challenge
World Boxing Council champion Mayweather, who won a career-defining
fight by 10th-round technical knockout.

Regardless, Alexander-Bradley marks only the third unification between
undefeated American champions, and the other two served as instant
springboards to superstardom, for heavyweight Mike Tyson, who beat Grand
Rapids’ Tony Tucker in 1987; and for welterweight Donald Curry, who
beat Detroit’s Milton McCrory in 1985.

Alexander, of St. Louis, survived life in the ghetto, and a cadre of
friends and family who were killed or imprisoned, while Bradley came
from a much more stable environment in the California desert city of
Palm Springs.

Nevertheless, Alexander said he and his rival share one thing in common.

"He’s got the same work ethic as me,” Alexander said. “We’ve both got a
never-say-die attitude, a never-lose attitude. That’s what’s going to
make it a great fight.”

Bradley is considered more of a pressure boxer, with Alexander more adept at finishing a hurt opponent. Of Bradley’s last eight fights,
including all five of his championship bouts, the only one that didn’t
last the distance was a fight stopped in the third round, and later
ruled no contest, after a cut caused by a head butt.

Alexander has stopped two of his three title foes, including Junior
Witter, whom Bradley beat on a decision, although Bradley’s promoter,
Gary Shaw, said Alexander’s win came after Bradley “softened up” the
previously unbeaten Witter in the latter’s hometown of Sheffield,
England.

"All the talk is over,” Alexander said. “It’s only going to be him in
the ring. At the end of the day, you’ve got to follow the game plan.
There’s two of you guys. No more cameras. None of the press guys in the
ring. You’ve just got to follow the game plan and do what you’ve got to
do. I’m a firm believer in that.”

Alexander weighed in Friday at 140 pounds, to Bradley’s 139 1/2. Because both are champions, they had an NFL-style coin toss, which Alexander won. He chose to walk to the ring last. Bradley, in turn, chose to be
introduced last.

Then, the fight made too early begins. And, perhaps, a superstar emerges.

"People have got to get off the fact that it’s happening too early,” Bradley said. “The best is fighting the best. At the end of the day, when the best fights the best, people want to see the fights.”﻿